Buffalo Leather vs. Bison Leather – What You Need to Know

Many people search for buffalo leather when they’re really looking for American Bison leather. The confusion goes back centuries, and it still affects today’s leather buyers. If you’ve ended up on this page, we’ll help you understand the difference, explain what “buffalo leather” usually means in the global marketplace, and show why we make all our wallets and leather goods from full-grain American Bison leather—never imported Water Buffalo.

Buffalo vs. Bison: Why We Use the Wrong Word

In everyday conversation, many Americans use the word buffalo to describe the animals that once thundered across the Great Plains. In reality, those animals are American Bison, not buffalo. The name “buffalo” stuck due to early explorers and fur traders who used the term loosely.

While the two animals are distantly related, American Bison and true buffalo (like Water Buffalo and Cape Buffalo) are completely different species—and their hides produce very different types of leather.

Learn more about the difference between Bison and Buffalo.

In Most Cases, “Buffalo Leather” Means Water Buffalo Leather

Here’s where buyers get misled:
Most products labeled “buffalo leather” online—especially on marketplaces—are made from Asian Water Buffalo hides.

This type of leather:

• Has a coarse, open fiber structure
• Features large, uneven pores
• Tends to be stiff, spongy, or overly soft depending on tanning
• Is often chrome-tanned in high-volume factories
• Is used in lower-cost belts, wallets, bags, and accessories

While it can be serviceable, it does not match the performance, texture, or durability of full-grain American Bison leather.

Why We’re Called the Buffalo Billfold Company (And Why It Makes Perfect Sense)

We often get asked why we’re called the Buffalo Billfold Company if we work exclusively with American Bison leather. The answer reaches back to the American West and one of its most recognizable figures: Buffalo Bill Cody.

When we founded our workshop in 1972, we wanted a name that reflected:

• The heritage of the American Plains
• The craftsmanship of frontier leatherwork
• The rugged spirit of the animals that inspired our products
• A nod to an iconic Western storyteller

“Buffalo Bill” captured all of that spirit, and the connection felt even more fitting given our founder, Bill Keitel, who shared both the name and the frontier craftsmanship ethos.

For generations, Americans used the word buffalo to describe the majestic animals that shaped the Great Plains — even though the correct term is American Bison. The name stuck in our culture through:

• Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
• Buffalo nickels
• “Where the Buffalo Roam”
• National Park history
• And decades of Western tradition

So when we chose the name Buffalo Billfold Company, we weren’t identifying the species scientifically — we were honoring a Western legacy that shaped the identity of American craftsmanship.

And even though the name says “Buffalo,” our leather goods have always been made from full-grain American Bison hides. We proudly carry the Western spirit in our name and the American Bison in our hands.

Why We Use American Bison Leather Instead of Buffalo Leather

At the Buffalo Billfold Company, we’ve handcrafted leather goods since 1972. After years of working with cowhide, deer, and other materials, we chose full-grain American Bison leather because it consistently outperformed everything else.

We do not use Water Buffalo leather because:

• It does not offer the same long-term durability
• It lacks the rich grain character of Bison
• It tends to stretch inconsistently
• It rarely comes from U.S. ranches or tanneries
• It cannot match the longevity of full-grain Bison leather

Every bison leather wallet, belt, bag, and accessory we make is crafted entirely from American Bison leather, selected, cut, and sewn in our Minnesota workshop.

The Strength & Beauty of American Bison Leather

American Bison leather is known for:

• Exceptional tensile strength
• Striking natural grain patterns
• Resistance to stretching
• A soft hand-feel that breaks in beautifully
• A patina that deepens with age

The hides we select have tight fiber structure and unique markings that make every piece one-of-a-kind. Bison leather is more resilient under stress, more textured to the touch, and more durable for everyday wallets.

Explore what makes American Bison leather unique.

Comparing Buffalo vs Bison Leather

All Buffalo Billfold Company products are made from full-grain American Bison leather, not Water Buffalo.

Most Shoppers Mean Bison Leather — Even If They Type “Buffalo”

Because the word “buffalo” became part of American culture (Buffalo Bill Cody, “Where the Buffalo Roam,” Buffalo nickels, etc.), many people use “buffalo leather wallet” as shorthand.

That’s why we built this page—to help shoppers find the higher-quality leather they’re actually looking for.

If you searched “buffalo leather wallet,” what you likely want is:

• A strong, durable wallet
• With distinct natural grain
• Made in the USA
• From an authentic American material

That describes Bison leather, not Water Buffalo.
Shop American Bison Leather Wallets

Why Made in USA and Full-Grain Leather Go Hand in Hand

Most “buffalo leather” goods sold online are imported and mass-produced. Our goods are:

• Designed and handcrafted in Worthington, Minnesota
• Cut from full-grain American Bison hides
• Made without plastic liners or fillers
• Built to last for years, not months

This is the difference between a wallet that wears out—and one that becomes an heirloom.

Where to find our Bison Leather Goods

If you ended up here while searching for buffalo leather, don’t worry—it’s incredibly common. Below are the best places to start exploring our Bison leather collections:

• Bison Leather Wallets
• Bison Leather Purses & Bags
• Bison Leather Belts
• All Bison Leather Goods

Whether you call it buffalo or bison, the quality you’re looking for comes from the American Bison. And it’s our privilege to handcraft leather goods from this remarkable material—right here in the USA.